Welcome to the Dynasty Watch. For those of you playing in deep dynasty leagues, this is where we’ll help you keep track of some bench stashes. These are players who have a small chance of becoming regular contributors, but for the few that do, we’ll try and help you beat your league-mates to the punch.
We’ll chronicle any upticks in usage or production each week, so be sure to read the previous Dynasty Watch articles to get a season-long picture.
Quarterbacks
Marcus Mariota (LV) — Mariota had been all but forgotten after losing his gig to Ryan Tannehill and holding the clipboard for Derek Carr and the Raiders. But when Carr went down with a groin injury, Mariota stepped in and flashed his 1st-round pedigree in limited action. Mariota used his arm for 17/226 and 1 TD, and used his legs for 90 yards and another TD. With Carr’s groin likely keeping him out for the last few regular season games, Mariota will get a chance to show the Raiders - and other QB-needy teams - whether he’s starter material or not. Keep in mind that Carr has a $20+ Million cap hit next season.
Running Backs
Darrynton Evans (Ten) — It’s been fun watching D’Onta Foreman and Jeremy McNichols pretend to compete for Derrick Henry’s backup role with Evans out but now that Evans is healthy, he’s showing why he’s the RB to own Henry. Evans ran for 8/30 and caught 2/27/1. He also added 45 return yards while Foreman was a healthy scratch.
Wide Receivers
Jaylen Guyton (LAC) — Guyton’s been on this list a few times before, but he’s still widely available and just caught 4 passes for 91 yards in Week 15. With Mike Williams seemingly never healthy, Guyton continues to develop chemistry with rookie QB Justin Herbert, which is likely going to help Guyton stay in the 2021 mix.
Chad Hansen (Hou) — Hansen had his third strong showing in row, posting 2/55/1. He’s taken full advantage as Houston is down their top three receivers. Hansen has 14/212/1 over three weeks.
Quez Watkins (Phi) — With Philadelphia desperate for a solid receiving corps, Watkins has been given a shot lately, logging 22 and 28 snaps (mostly on the perimeter) over the last two weeks. In Week 15, the 6th-rounder turned those 28 snaps into 3 catches for 40 yards and a TD.
Lil’Jordan Humphrey (NO) — Humphrey - who’s actually not so Lil at 6’4'' and 210 pounds - finally saw some game action with Michael Thomas sidelined and Tre’Quan Smith exiting early with an injury. Humphrey hauled in a TD, posting 2/29 on 4 targets. Considering Smith can’t even get much action when he’s healthy, Humphrey is a real longshot. But with the tumultuous season Thomas has had, and the veteran Emmanuel Smith soon aging out of a significant role, Humphrey - normally a practice squad resident - may have a shot at the Taysom Hill version of the Saints in the years to come.
Tight Ends
Dawson Knox (Buf) — Remember when everyone thought Knox was gonna be a legit TE threat? Well, don’t look now but Knox has come back from the dead as of late. Over the last two games, Knox has 11 targets, and in Week 15 he caught 2 passes for 36 yards and a TD.
Tyler Conklin (Min) — With Kyle Rudolph out, Conklin caught 3 passes for 57 yards and a TD. He now has 8 catches of 97 yards on 9 targets over the last two weeks. He’ll go back to the bench when Rudolph returns, but Conklin could be in Minnesota’s future plans next to Irv Smith, Jr.
